Helping youth deal with low self esteem and mental health issues through creative expression and performance is what Passionis Productions is all about.

At just 22 years of age, directors Rebekah Danzic and Alyssa Biele have been running the youth organisation for four years and have seen some remarkable developments in young people through performing arts.

A lot of members in our group have never really fit in or found their place...we've been able to create a place or venue where people feel like they can be themselves.

Alyssa Biele

Ms Biele said a lot of their work was about helping youth through creative expression.

“A lot of members in our group have never really fit in or found their place, so it's pretty cool that we've been able to create a place or venue where people feel like they can be themselves.

“It's about giving them a purpose as well to step outside of school and feel like they have a community to belong in,” Ms Biele said.

Ms Danzic said she had seen a lot of youth affected by mental health problems and the group was a space where positive mental health could be nurtured.

“The stories that have come just from the members alone it's really incredible to see them grow and being able to trust people to tell their stories.”

She said everyone that came to Passionis opened up about their experience with everything from depression to supporting those in the LGBTI community.

Ms Danzic said she saw the group also as an avenue to help youth seek further help if they needed it.

“We do a lot of work with Mentally Fit EP and West Coast Youth and Community Support so we set up connections and for those going through something beyond our area so that we can connect them to the right people.”

Ms Biele said they were able to create a safe environment for youth because they were youth themselves and had also experienced their “own stuff”.

“They can trust us because we know, so we can help them with those kind of issues and put them onto other people.”

Passionis Productions member Amy Malota said she joined because she had always loved drama and the group offered a fun and supportive environment.

“I was a very shy person but now I’ve gotten a lot louder and more expressive.”